Rich Turnbull, Rotary International’s District 6970 governor, and club leaders have launched the worldwide service organization’s current theme in the local area, Rotary Opens Opportunities, and going into 2022 with the theme, Serve to Change Lives.
Within Northeast Florida, Rotary has 63 clubs, two satellite clubs, 15 Rotaract clubs and 44 Interact clubs serving 31 regional communities in 12 counties with more than 3,300 men and women. According to Turnbull, Rotary members serve to realize a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change in communities and around the world.
The regional district was established in 1915 and is currently embarking on new member recruitment and current member retention to further service and leadership opportunities and the shared vision for Rotary.
“Our goals this year and into 2022 include inspiring and motivating Rotarians to expand the reach of the organization by increasing membership, diversity and our impact to serve millions who need help locally and around the world,” said Turnbull. “We believe in doing more and growing more with service projects and participation. This can be achieved by increasing membership and fellowship as we continue to grow our organization to more than 1.3 million members worldwide. Locally, we’ve embraced the opportunity with starting new clubs to attract a diverse group of students, younger adults and the older burgeoning demographics in areas throughout Northeast Florida.”
“Service is the rent I pay for the space I occupy on this earth,” said 2021-22 Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta of India in a worldwide presentation. “And I want to be a good tenant of this earth. I am sure each of you also has found your opportunity to serve. You, too, may have provided eyesight to the blind, food to the hungry, homes to the homeless and medicine for the sick. They may have been small opportunities for service or large projects. More than just the size, it is the attitude that defines service.”
The civic and social services each club provides to its specific community are determined by membership and needs in the local area.
According to Turnbull, to follow Mehta’s lead, each Rotarian is to bring at least one prospective member to Rotary in the next 17 months and to serve by illustration as a change-maker.
Those interested in local Rotary membership and service can contact Turnbull at 904-669-8777 or email rich.rotary6970@gmail.com or Katherine Batenhorst, Rotary District 6970 membership co-chair, at katherine.batenhorst@gmail.com.
